ONCE again the Melksham side were narrowly beaten in this league encounter to leave them bottom of the Southern Counties South table.

With their backs in excellent form, second placed Oakmedians took an early lead but Avon hit back and with their forwards dominating two tries from scrum half John Cox saw them trail 12-17 at half-time.

The visitors extended the lead with a converted try but despite a sterling effort the home side's only reply was a try from centre Stuart Moore, converted by Rich Woolfood, as they lost by a single score for the fifth time in eight league outings.